Your Best Tool for Abroad & Learning English

November 16, 2017

In the United States, Thanksgiving is one of the most treasured holidays of the year. Not only does everyone travel to be with loved ones all over the country (or in other parts of the world), but it’s a time in which everyone reflects on what they’re thankful for and takes a moment to appreciate all the blessings in their lives that they might simply overlook or take for granted on a daily basis. This is also when a huge feast is prepared with lots of turkey, side dishes, and endless desserts. Because this is such a widely celebrated holiday in the country, you might find that New York City tends to empty out a bit with everyone travelling to their hometowns. If you plan on staying in the Big Apple during this holiday, here are a few things you can do to either celebrate the day yourself or otherwise keep yourself occupied when it seems that everyone else is away!

1. Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade

Ironically, this is a Thanksgiving Day staple event appreciated all over the country. Families in all 50 states will tune into the massive parade the morning of November 23^rd starting at 9 am. Since the parade’s inception in 1924, it has since turned into a massive event that shuts down several streets and avenues for this monumental event. If you feel like attending in person, you sure can, but sure be sure to arrive hours early to ensure a decent viewing spot—and make sure to dress warmly since Thanksgiving can be quite the frigid day at that hour of the day! Oh, and this is a great way to practice your English, too, since you’ll be surrounded by thousands of other New Yorkers or even tourists, so feel free to ask questions or share your excitement with your fellow viewers!

2. Feeding NYC

As I mentioned above, part of the sentiments behind Thanksgiving is noting appreciation for all the blessings you may have in your life, and this reflection often triggers inspiration to give back to others less fortunate and in need. This particular movement starts working together two days before Thanksgiving to help provide a Thanksgiving meal to local communities within the city limits. Here, thousands of volunteers come together to help give back and provide food to dozens of families in need. Check out all the ways you can help, either by donating money or food or volunteering yourself, and you’ll be amazed at how humbled you are and how much more appreciative you are of all your advantages. Here, share your own story about coming to New York City and how much you’ve learned as a newcomer both to the country as well as to the language—you will more than likely connect with others that share a similar story to yours.

3. Prospect Park Track Club Turkey Trot

Is running kind of your thing? Check out this seasonal 5K and prepare to have a blast—this notorious run allows attendees to dress silly, whether they’re dressed up as Thanksgiving turkeys or even to unofficially kick off the Christmas season dressed up as Santa Claus. It’s also an ideal location to view the stunning fall foliage of Prospect Park and get some fresh air into your lungs, so lace up your running shoes and track down a goofy turkey hat, and you’ll fit right in! Dressing up this way is a great conversation starter, so be sure to keep an open mind and test out your English skills on other runners around you!

4. NYC Pilgrim Pedal

Running not your thing and maybe looking for a calming bike ride instead? This 24-mile (round-trip) bike ride on Thanksgiving morning takes you through Manhattan, Queens, and Brooklyn. This event also encourages you to dress up in fun costumes, so this is a great chance to use that same turkey headpiece costume! The best part? Halfway through the ride around mile 12, the tour makes a stop at a Brooklyn diner for a casual breakfast refuel before heading back on the tour. If you feel you’re not physically up to par with those *crazy* New York City bikers, fret not, because the pace is kept at a leisurely pace, so feel free to take your time and enjoy the scenery! What better way to make friends and practice your English?

November 9, 2017

As I mentioned in my previous post when I was sharing information about New York City’s two professional hockey teams as well as some basic terms for your reference, here we’ll discuss the city’s two biggest basketball teams as part of the National Basketball Association (NBA). Since this is another winter sport, you’ll notice a lot of coverage of this sport and these teams in the coming months. As is with all the other major league sports in the United States, fans take their teams very seriously, so it should be helpful to keep that in mind when you’re practicing your English social skills with these fans!

1. New York Knicks, Madison Square Garden, Manhattan

This team (whose full name is actually the New York Knickerbockers) was founded in 1946, so they’ve definitely been around for quite some time. Their fans will stand out to you since their colors are blue, orange, silver, black, and white—very similar to baseball’s New York Mets and hockey’s New York Islanders—are you noticing a theme yet?? The team has performed only mildly in the recent years, yet despite their less than decent performance, you’ll again notice that their fans simply don’t give up on them. The Knicks also share this venue with hockey’s New York Rangers, so you might notice some game and sport crossover during the winter months in this neighborhood. It’s pretty cool to see the mixture of different fans crossover during this season. (Plus, if you remember, football season is also going strong during the beginning winter months, so you’ll probably see some New York Giants and New York Jets fans mixed in with the crowds!).

2. Brooklyn Nets, Barclays Center, Brooklyn

This is a new name for the team, who until 2012 used to be called the New Jersey Nets and before that the New York Nets. This is also a fairly newer team overall, as they weren’t founded until 1967. Their home arena is the Barclays Center, so again, you might see some overlap in the Nets fanbase with hockey’s New York Islanders fanbase if you spend some significant time in Brooklyn. Simply, the Nets’ colors are black and white, so they offer a distinct color difference from the Knicks’ colors. The Brooklyn Nets haven’t seen that much success either in the most recent years, though approximately ten years ago they showed some amount of consecutive success with a few divisional and conference titles.

As I mentioned in my previous posts about practicing your English with these fellow fans, the same can be said with the basketball fans. For the most part, they’re pretty friendly and willing to chat about the game or certain players, so just keep the conversation light by asking them why they’re Knicks or Nets fans, who their favorite player is, or even about the importance of their legacy. Trust me, they’ll be more than happy to chat about it!

To help either guide these conversations or to simply help you understand the game and the terms you’ll hear if you attend a game, I’ve included a brief glossary of common terms and phrases that you can keep in your back pocket to make understanding it all that much easier. This is also a great time to use your translator apps, as these games move quickly, and you may not have the chance to look everything up!

• Airball: a missed shot that doesn’t hit the rim or the net
• Brick: another missed shot that actually does hit the rim but still doesn’t go in
• Dribble: this is the move the players make when they’re bouncing the ball with their hands and also running down the court
• Dunk: this is a scoring shot when a player puts the ball through the basket with their hand hanging from the rim
• Travel: this is a penalty call if a player is moving his legs without dribbling the ball; this happens quite often, so you’ll probably get familiar with it quite quickly
• Swoosh: this is more of a sound made by the fan if a ball goes directly through the net without hitting the rim—making the sound is a version of light celebration

 

November 2, 2017

If you’ve been following my blog up until this point, you’ll notice that I’ve included major league sports and when their season starts. If you haven’t noticed by now, New Yorkers take their professional sports very seriously, so I felt obligated to include an overview of these season openers so you’re fully prepared!

The next sport I’ll be touching on is hockey (basketball will be covered in the next article). This sport is notoriously known as a winter sport since it’s played on ice, so it’s only fitting that the teams play during the cold months. Every once in a while a game will be played outdoors (in a geographically cold area, of course), but for the most part, these games are played indoors inside large arenas. Even though it’ll be indoors, the venue itself will stay quite chilly, so if you find yourself ever attending one of these games, be sure to dress appropriately!

New York City has two professional hockey teams, and you might notice depending on where you are in the city that the island itself is pretty divided when it comes to their fanbase! A great way to practice your English in this instance is to start up a friendly conversation with someone who is clearly a fan of one of the teams and pick their brain about an upcoming game, their favorite player, or why they love hockey so much. For the most part, you’ll probably find that New Yorkers are pretty easy to chat with as long as you stay friendly, so make sure you smile and approach gently! Here’s a quick rundown of the two famous New York City teams as well as some helpful lingo so you’re confident with the basics before heading out to catch one of the games!

1. New York Islanders, Barclays Center, Brooklyn

This team has been in action since 1972, so while they haven’t been around as long as other teams in the country, they’ve still made quite a name for themselves over the years. With their colors at royal blue, orange, and white (similar to the New York Mets baseball team if you remember!), they’re hard to miss on the ice, especially since they have 4 Stanley Cups under their belts (which is the ultimate championship win, like the World Series for baseball or the Super Bowl for football). While the team has struggled over the past 30 years or so, their spirit is still alive, as you will very easily see in their fans! Be sure to make your way down to Brooklyn this winter to check out a game for yourself and interact with the passionate fans!

2. New York Rangers, Madison Square Garden, Manhattan

It could be argued that this team is slightly more popular in fandom than the New York Islanders—but never say that to an Islanders fan of course! Founded in 1926, the New York Rangers are one of the oldest teams in the league, existing as part of the Original Six teams along with the Boston Bruins, Chicago Blackhawks, Detroit Red Wings, Montreal Canadiens, and Toronto Maple Leafs. Since the team considers their home venue Madison Square Venue, you’ll find it quite easy to run into Rangers fans if you’re anywhere close to Times Square or Penn Station. With their colors as blue, red, and white (like football’s New York Giants), the Rangers match the number of Stanley Cup wins as the Islanders at 4, but they’ve also seen more recent success over the years, which tends to show a spike in the team’s popularity when they’re playing well. Since the team is more locally based in the city, it might be easier for you to track down a game to attend. Again, don’t hesitate to initiate some English practice by striking up conversation with some Rangers fans, and ask them about their favorite players or even what their favorite snack is at the concession stands.

Terms to know:

• Biscuit: this is simply another word for the puck
• Fighting: you’ll notice this is very common and actually encouraged during a game, so worry not if it happens
• Goal: if the puck enters the net, this will be shouted from the stands in celebration

October 27, 2017

Looking for something to do as the weather chills but not ready to hibernate and lose your sense of New York City adventure? I’ve rounded out a few incredible things to do so you won’t be bored, and you’ll still have the chance to put your English skills to use with chatting with others, cheering people on, or even singing along—November is a great time to experiment!

Finding things to do in New York City when the weather starts to turn from chilly to flat-out cold can be a bit difficult. I can tell you over and over again to dress warm or to be prepared, but that first bite of winter will always be a shock, no matter how much you prep and plan for it! It can be really easy to start to nest once those cold temperatures start to break through, but try and resist the temptation to start hibernating! I’ve included plenty of things to do in New York City for the month of November so you can continue to get the most that the city has to offer!

1. New York City Marathon, November 5, 2017

This is one of New York City’s biggest annual events. Held every year in November, the New York City Marathon is the largest in the world in regards to the number of participants. The course goes through all 5 boroughs in New York City. It starts in Staten Island, moving along through Brooklyn then glides through Queens. From there, runners will cross the East River via the Queensboro Bridge into Manhattan, climbing up First Avenue into the Bronx and then returning to Manhattan, finishing beside Tavern on the Green. Thousands of supports come to support their friends and family members, and for the rest of the day, the New York City population is thriving with excitement and energy. If you know anyone running, consider looking up the run’s path and find out a good spot to watch for them. Luckily, these days, they have apps that allow you to track your favorite runner so you can tell exactly where they are! Also, this is a great opportunity to chat with fellow cheerers and be sure to check out all the homemade encouragement signs people bring with them—great way to pick up some great new English lingo!

2. The New York Comedy Festival, November 7 – November 12, 2017

If you’re a fan of stand-up comedy, this multi-day celebration is just for you. Over a dozen of today’s hottest comedic acts will be in multiple venues throughout the city during this week, so be sure to check out where your favorite will be. Act quickly because these shows fill up quickly, and you wouldn’t want to miss any of these great shows! Many of them will be taped for television specials, so be sure to dress your best! If listening to English is still a bit tricky for you, pull up some of their online specials to get used to their humor or the way they use their English. This will help you prepare for their routines before you get there. This is also a great way to make friends with others that share your favorite comedian or appreciate the same lines that you do!

3. Radio City Christmas Spectacular, starting November 10, 2017

It’s hard to believe that we’re already talking about preparing for Christmas, but you should know by now that New York City doesn’t anything half-assed! One of the most famous New York City destinations is Radio City Music Hall, home to the Radio City Rockettes. As an annual musical holiday stage show, be prepared for 90 minutes of incredible music, dancing, and surprising humor to get you ready for the holiday season. Since 1933, this show has been put on for thousands of people over the decades. Part of the reason they have the program starting so early is due to high demand, so if you have your heart set on attending the show, consider booking way early in advance or checking it out in November before all the holiday tourists come for the show! Another great part of this performance is that exists in digital recordings as well, so you can experience the performance before you even get there. This way, you can practice your English in song or communicate your favorite scenes with other attendees.

October 17, 2017

Another one of my absolute FAVORITE things about fall is football season. Since I was little, I was obsessed with the sport and would beg my parents to take me to games. It was odd to them since most girls typically didn’t love football as much as I did, but it just stuck! As I grew up, I found that I somehow fell in love with it even more and realized that my passion for the sport helped make me a lot of friends (and enemies depending on which team the other person liked!), and to this day, the start of football season is the most exciting time of the year to me.

If you’re new to the United States, you may not be too familiar with the sport. In other countries, football is a different sport—they call it football, and we call it soccer, so keep that in mind while you’re doing research on it! Since you’re new to New York City, it might help to know that New York has two major football teams: the New York Giants and the New York Jets. If you remember my post from the spring about baseball and New York’s teams, I discussed how seriously New Yorkers take their fandom, and the same can be said for these two football teams.

For the most part, the majority of the games are played on Sundays from September until the Super Bowl, typically held in the first week of February. Games are sometimes played on Thursdays, Mondays, and even Saturdays on occasion depending on the holiday schedule. You might notice that Sundays in New York City just get a bit louder with everyone wearing their team’s jerseys, chanting their team’s songs, and the combination of cheering and/or booing depending on the game’s outcome. Football is very cherished for New York City, so you’ll notice they take it very seriously. If you need to get up early on Monday mornings, I recommend wearing ear plugs on Sunday nights just in case the fandom carries on into the late evenings!

Because New Yorkers are so vocal about their fandom, this is a great chance for you to pick up on their phrases, how they interact with one another, and their cries of either celebration or defeat following the end of a game. What a great way to practice your English, right? Consider asking your fellow game-watchers about their favorite players, or if you feel comfortable enough with your company, ask them questions about the logistics of the game so you can understand better. Just feel it out—you don’t want to disturb them if they happen to be watching intently!

For your benefit, before you head out there blindly on a Sunday afternoon, here’s a brief rundown of New York City’s two main teams.

New York Giants (colors are blue, red, and white; their logo is a giant G)

Even though the team’s name says New York, their field is actually in East Rutherford, New Jersey. Some of their nicknames are Big Blue, G-Men, and the Jints. Most recently, the team won the Super Bowl in 2011, so some of the hardcore fans are still generally pretty excited about the win. This year, the Giants are prospected to have a decent year. They’re not at their strongest in recent years, but they should have a pretty fulfilling season ahead of them!

New York Jets (colors are green and white; their logo is simply JETS)

Here’s an interesting fact: the Jets and the Giants actually share the same field in East Rutherford, New Jersey. It creates some scheduling conflicts from time to time, but hey, the comradery couldn’t hurt, right? You might over hear people spelling out their name often, like, “J-E-T-S!” since their only nickname is Gang Green. Unfortunately, the Jets haven’t seen the same amount of success as the Giants have, as they have never won a Super Bowl, while the Giants have won 4. The Jets aren’t predicted to have a successful year, as they’ve fallen on some pretty bad luck over the years

Before you think you’re not linguistically skilled enough to head out into public on Football Sundays, just relax and remember that the game itself doesn’t rely on words—it simply relies on the actual movement of the ball between the players. But before you know it, you’ll pick up on it, and soon enough, you’ll be cheering with the rest of them!

October 3, 2017

In this day and age, practically everything is consumed digitally now. We’re on the constant go with our smartphones, we can sync our televisions, computers, and tablets, and waiting on anything seems like it’s a thing of the past. When we’re talking about books, more specifically, we now also have the ability to download full books onto our devices so we can read while we’re commuting, travelling, or even just taking a bath. But for those that are still devoted to the idea of holding a tangible thing while reading, this digital era can be a little sad and for me, a bit heartbreaking. I studied English literature in college and graduate school, so I feel a very close connection to physical books, and the books that I own are like children to me. So when I moved to New York City, I made it a point to find all the independent bookstores that I could to ensure I continue to support the print publishing industry!

It goes without saying that reading books in English is a stellar way to strengthen your grasp on the language. Depending on your genre of choice, you can learn a lot through these pieces of work, and you’ll be able to pull a lot of English colloquiums from these publications. It’s a great way to put your skills to use—and be entertained at the same time!

Here’s a round-up of some of my favorite spots in New York City to get great books (that aren’t Barnes & Noble—they have enough income—our small businesses need our help!):

1. Strand; 828 Broadway

I have to admit that the first time I came here was even before I formally moved to the city—that’s how eager I was to visit this iconic bookstore! From the outside, it looks like a typical corner vendor, but once you’re inside, you’ll discover 3 floors, books organized by genre, and other fabulous book-loving creatures like myself. I felt like a kid in a candy store in that place. What makes Strand unique is that it houses rare books, out-of-print titles (beat that, eBay!), and even glassed maps and art pieces. The store claims to have 18 miles of books within their walls—once you’re inside, you might start to think that there’s got to be even more than that! If you’re a book lover like me, be sure to make Strand at the top of your list for must-see destinations.

2. 192 Books; 192 10^th Avenue

This location is another tribute to classic literature, but it also has a healthy integration of art inspiration as the owners have an art background themselves. The location often hosts events and special readings by featured authors to generate traffic and excitement for the continuing art of the written word. The bookstore is a bit quieter than Strand, allowing for it to feel more like a private library, so get ready to unplug your phone and fall into a good book.

3. McNally Jackson; 52 Prince Street

This location is fabulous with incredible space, intelligent lighting, and a wide variety of literature, treasured and time-sensitive pieces, and even archived magazine issues. Part of the reason McNally Jackson is so popular is because of its built-in café, providing refreshment and additional energy so you can tackle the other half of the store. Skip the other major booksellers for a more intimate experience that McNally Jackson can offer.

4. Books Are Magic; 225 Smith Street (Brooklyn)

The owners of this establishment decided to use this space after another bookstore prior to its inception closed down. They didn’t want to see the space go to another coffee shop, so they took over and created this chic corner destination for book-lovers to come together and visit their favorite go-tos or discover a new favorite. Newly opened, Books Are Magic is already a neighborhood favorite, and the owners organize weekly events and invite authors to share readings for those looking to reap the benefits of having a bookstore in their neighborhood.

If you’re anything like me, reading is an integral part of your life, and having a tangible reminder in our hands of how we communicate with one another is a crucial part of the experience. Whether you’re new to New York City or have been here for a few years like myself, you’re sure to find dozens of other tucked-away literary gems that still treasure the value of the written word.

September 27, 2017

As the weather continues to get chillier and the leaves begin to fall at a much faster rate, you might be wondering what there is to do during a month that can be warm one day and pretty darn cold the next. Luckily, just in case you forgot, New York City is home to constant action and a never-ending list of things to do to keep yourself occupied. And if you’re adjusting to English, fret not, because all of these events offer plenty of ways to incorporate your learning tactics into real life. Between meeting new people by means of verbal and social interaction and reading and listening to cultural events, you’re sure to put your English skills to use for the whole month of October!

1. New York Comic Con 2017; October 5 – October 8

You might be familiar with this event, as this huge gathering attracts thousands of people from all over the country. This event is a chance for superfans from all kinds of pop culture disciplines to come together and interact with other fellow fans. From comic books and superhero movies to science fiction television shows and book series, these passionate fans come to the Javits Center in Hells Kitchen dressed as their favorite characters, called cosplay. This is also a chance for these fans to interact with celebrities, browse timeless memorabilia, and shop for prized souveniers and collectibles. Tickets start at $45 for the day, but act fast since they sell out quite quickly. A great way to practice your English? Come dressed up as your favorite sci-fi character that doesn’t speak English and challenge yourself to interact with other fans. They won’t even know that you’re practicing!

2. Cider Week; October 20 – October 29

One of my favorite parts of fall is how everything is apple-focused. I could eat an apple every day and just not get bored with the taste, so since fall is the best time for apples to be in season, I feel like I’m in heaven! With all sorts of types of apples in season, you can surely find your favorite in an instant. And even better is that during this last week in October, over 50 bars and restaurants are participating in this eventful series of events with free apple cider tastings, events, and workshops. Check out the site to see what bars are participating in your area, and bring a group of friends so you can meet other cider fans, practice your English, and get your apple cider on!

3. The Rink at Rockefeller Center

Even if you’re brand new to New York City, you no doubt are aware of this legendary ice skating rink in the heart of Manhattan. It might still be a bit too warm to ice skate when it opens up for the season on October 7, but it’s still a very monumental time of the year when this opens up for the season. You might notice an influx of foot traffic in this area the first couple of days it’s open, so I recommend coming around later in the month, and you’ll beat a lot of the holiday tourist traffic as well! Since you’re in the prime tourist location of the city, this is also a great time to put your English skills to use – help tourists in need of directions or ask other people where they recommend to get great food and drink.

4. The New Yorker Festival; October 6 – October 8

The New Yorker is a celebrated and culturally iconic brand in the media industry, and each year the magazine organizes a 3-day event in which their editors and contributors host panels and discussions with some of the most popular and culture-changing figures in theatre, film, music, and social movements. With tickets starting at $65, this event can be a bit pricey, but if this kind of content intrigues you, it would be super beneficial to attend one of these events to feel like the magazine is brought to life. Plus, what better way to utilize your English skills than listen to some of the top academically and professionally accomplished talents in our current world?

No matter what your interests are, you’re bound to find something during the month of October that will not only keep you excited and entertained for the season, but they’ll also keep you on track when it comes to putting your English speaking skills to use.

September 8, 2017

You’ve probably noticed that New York City can be pretty expensive at times if you’re not paying attention. Between paying for different means of transportation, trying out all kinds of amazing foods, and making sure you see everything the city has to offer, it can really add up, and if you’re not careful, you could easily spend more than your budget allows! I’ve already shared with you ways on how to save money on groceries and travel, but here I can share with you different portals that can help you save money on New York City experiences. Maybe there’s something that you’re dying to do while you’re in the Big Apple, but it simply costs too much and you can’t bring yourself to spend that kind of money. (Trust me, we’ve all been there.) Luckily for our digital generation, there are a few online sites and apps that will help you save money and get incredible deals on things you would never participate in for full price.

And as I keep telling you guys, the best way to put your English to use is by socializing, and these opportunities that these sites and apps offer provide the perfect chance to mingle and meet people from all over the city.

1. Groupon

This is probably the most widely used deal application, as there are thousands of things to find on this site. If you’re in the shopping mood, Groupon can present deals to you for all sorts of items, like clothing, electronics, jewelry, home products, and even food. You can also find deals for things like haircuts, fitness packages, and home services. When I first moved to New York, I needed to find a hairdresser, and since I was on a strict budget, I looked for deals in Groupon. I found one that struck my interest in my neighborhood, and two and a half years later, I still go to her! Say you’re looking for something cool to do in New York, but what if you’re not sure where to start looking? Check out their featured deals. Have you always been interested in kickboxing but just a little too afraid to try? They offer super cheap packages that will help alleviate your fear. Download the app, and just check it out—you might be surprised at what you can find!

2. Yelp

I introduced Yelp to you a few months ago for the purpose of finding the best restaurants, museums, gyms, spas, and shopping spots, but you might be surprised that Yelp is also super handy at finding good deals for you. Many locations offer special coupons or deals if you simply share your location on social media or leave helpful feedback on their page. When I moved apartments in December, the movers I hired were so phenomenal, so I was delighted to share my good experience on their page to help boost their business. They were so touched by my positive feedback that they sent me flowers to signify their appreciation for my business as well as my helpful commentary. A little bit goes a long way, and you never know when it might pay off for YOU in the end! Next time you’re looking for a great new restaurant, sort by the locations that have the best deals.

3. Woot

I personally like this service because it brings you deals just like Groupon and Yelp do, but they do it with a sense of snark and humor in their delivery. Sometimes I find myself scrolling through this app just to get a good laugh. They offer all sorts of great products at discounted prices, like name brand appliances, artwork, wine, and clothing. Similar to Amazon, they also offer flash deals on certain products, so the deal only lasts for a brief period of time, forcing you to make a quick decision—which can be pretty exciting! Another great aspect to sites and apps like these is that they will give a pretty solid understanding of what items and experiences cost in the marketplace in New York City and beyond. You might often feel that as an outsider new to New York that you might be taken advantage of or “duped.” With sites like these, you remain anonymous, so you know exactly what you’re paying for and that it’s fair. For some helpful and quick English practicing while you’re perusing these apps, make sure to check out the comments section to see what other people have said about the products or experiences—they can make or break your decision entirely!

September 4, 2017

I’m a rare bird in the sense that I always loved school, and back-to-school time was my favorite time of the year. For most kids, it was Christmas or their birthdays, but for me, when September rolled around, I couldn’t have been happier. I do remember, however, that this time of the year was always stressful for my family, as we had so many kids in the house, so picking out new school supplies, getting new haircuts, and purchasing new clothes for the schoolyear always made our household quite chaotic and hectic. We were running around for days at a time, frantically trying to get everything done before we got on the bus for that year’s first day of school.

As you’re preparing for a new school year at the New York English Academy or if you’re helping others prepare for a new semester at another educational location, here are some helpful hints that will make your transition less stressful and get you excited for a new chapter in your English-learning career! With these tools in mind, you can ensure that your first day back will be calm so you can put your focus and energy on learning and practicing your English in New York City.

1. Practice

If your schedule includes commuting, packing your lunch, getting up early, or even dressing a bit differently than you’ve been dressing all summer, it might be helpful to start training yourself to get adjusted to this new schedule about a week before your classes start back up again. It’s easy to allow yourself to sleep in and dress as lightly as possible in the summer, but training yourself to operate on a daily school schedule again can be a bit rough the first few days. Instead of waiting until your first day of school to start this new way of life, start waking yourself up earlier each day a week before, and go grocery shopping to get into the habit of packing for lunches again. This will make your first day back at school a breeze so you can instead focus on getting to know your instructors, meeting your new classmates, and of course, most importantly, learning English!

2. Take advantage of the sales

You may have noticed that retail stores have back-to-school sales and promotions starting in August, promising to save you money on clothes, school supplies, dorm necessities, and even food. While it may be overwhelming to think about going into these stores when hundreds of other people are shopping for the very things you need, it’s helpful to check them out. For me, I always dreaded going into these stores because they would often be packed with fellow back-to-schoolers, but once I checked out my receipt and noticed all the money I saved, I realized a few hours of packed shopping was definitely worth it. Plus, since New York City is an epicenter of culture and language, you might be surprised at what you might find at these spots for tools that might help you transition into English fluently.

3. Practice your commute

You probably spent lots of your summer sight-seeing, making new friends, and essentially having fun in New York City. You more than likely got used to operating on a very fluid schedule and not really have to worry about making it anywhere on time. But don’t forget that New York City often has many variables that can make you late, even if you leave with plenty of time. Inclement weather, train delays, or even just high traffic can stall any commuter’s morning, so refresh your memory on your commute, and start practicing a few days before the first day of school. Keep in mind that thousands of other people in the city go back to school at the same time that you do, so the commute will be much more congested than in the summer, which as you know, will affect your time of arrival significantly. Be sure to leave early and allow yourself some cushion time to arrive at your destination just in case some variables outside of your control influence your commute.

September 1, 2017

As you know, New York City is a hub for many cultural elements. With Broadway shows, iconic museums, timeless concert venues, and legendary parks, the Big Apple offers the best of the best when it comes to cultural exposure. Another incredible cultural staple to New York City is its wide array of comedy clubs. Some of the country’s best comedians got their start at comedy in small clubs in the city before graduating to the biggest venues in the city. Comedians like Jerry Seinfeld, Chris Rock, Robin Williams, and Tina Fey all got their start in New York City then eventually made it big as top comedic talent.

I’ve always loved comedy; as a kid, I had to beg my parents to let me stay up late to watch MadTV and Saturday Night Live. My favorite movies are the ones that make me laugh until I cry. My favorite books to read are memoirs by my favorite comedians, so I can read their stories about how they made it in this business and the steps they took in order to get there. So when I moved to New York City, I made sure that one of the first things I did was go to an authentic New York City stand-up comedy club. Within two months of being there, I discovered one of my favorite comedians was coming to an iconic location just outside of Times Square. And just like that, I literally made one of my life-long dreams come true.

Here are some of the best comedy clubs in New York City that will not only give you something unique to do, but this is a great chance for you to listen to some comical English—you’ll be laughing so hard, you won’t even realize you’re practicing your translation skills!

1. Caroline’s on Broadway, Times Square

This is the location where I saw my first comedy show after moving to New York City. I felt like such a giddy kid standing in line, waiting for the usher to scan my ticket. Once I was in my seat, I could hardly contain myself! It’s a very intimate space, so you won’t need to bring your binoculars. They serve food and beverages here, so make sure you bring your appetite! The great part about this venue’s size is that you can hear incredibly well in this space—with this, you’ll be able to understand every word the comedian is saying, so you won’t have to struggle with your mental translation.

2. Upright Citizens Brigade, West 22^nd Street and East Village

I also had to include this one because when I was in middle school, I used to stay up late and watch the sketch comedy television show version of this comedy group. The brigade then moved their act to New York City, and now it’s become known as the comedy club that aspiring funny people go to hopefully get noticed. With its huge success, it branched out into three additional locations. Tremendous talent has come out of this club, like Aziz Ansari and Amy Poehler. This is another great place to put your English translation skills to use, as many comedy “students” practice in this club to get used to the sensation of performing live, so you can be sure that they deliver their lines clearly, making it easier on you!

3. Gotham Comedy Club, West 23^rd Street

This is another one of my favorites, as this location is also very intimate, making it easy for you to truly feel “a part” of the show. With names like Jim Gaffigan, Judd Apatow, and Craig Robinson, you can be sure that this venue will surely deliver in endless laughs. Also, keep in mind that comedians will often engage the audience, especially if you’re sitting within the first two front rows. So depending on if this is something that you think would be cool, keep that in mind when choosing your seat! This is also the perfect opportunity to understand English jokes and slang, as these comedians will often reference current lingo and phrases, so pay attention to their lines so you can reuse them yourself the next time you’re putting your English to use!